Coke-oven apparatus



Dec. 23, 1941.

J. BECKER COKE-OVEN APPARATUS Filed Jan. 10,' 1940 s ATTORNEY.

PatentedDec. 23, 1941 coms-OVEN APPARATUS Joseph Becker, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor'to Koppers Company, Pittsbur Delaware gli, Pa., a corporation of f vApplication January 1t), 1940, Serial No. 313,187

The present invention relates to improved Y means in an ascension pipe for shutting ol a common collecting main for distillation products from a coking chamber during the operations of pushing and recharging the coking chamber, in order to obviate either undue drawing of air into the collectingp main from the s claims. (ci. 2oz- 255) section of the ascension pipe and onto the incandescent oven walls there to cause serious damage.

l An object of the present invention is to furnish opened coking chamber or the loss of valuable gases and vapors from the former into the latter.

The invention relates more particularly to improvements in the use of butterily-throttle valve.

extensively u sed in the coke-oven' art for the above-stated purpose. To Ainsure against jamming of the butterily-throttle valve against the adjacent walls of the' ascension pipe, there is retained with the presentimprovement the *peripherally-leaky valve-feature in which the valve in closed position leaves a narrow, unsealed annular peripheral opening between it and the ascension pipe through which, because of the relatively small pressure differential existing between gases in the ascension pipe when vented to the atmosphere and those in the collecting main, no

important `amounts of gases will pass from the main around the valve, although permitting drainage past the closed valve towards the main of distillates condensed in the ascension-pipe section and also permitting cooling spray liquids in the ascension pipe to ow" freely through said annular opening to the collecting main when the valve is closed.

y plus, to the collecting main before the surplus With the recent tr'end of'reducing the height' of coke-oven ascension pipes by disposing their discharge-ends along the side walls of the collecting main, the now-path of the hot gases has f been considerably shortened, and the significantly reduced cooling of the distillation gases by heat-radiation from the ascension-pipe walls occasioned thereby tends to increase the viscosity of tarry materials precipitated in the ascension pipesand also to increase the expanslon'of the valve member, thus tending to decrease the annular leakage space available for drainage of the tarry mixtures of higher viscosityand the spray liquid. l

This obviously placed limitations on the rate at which gas` liquor could be sprayed into the ascension pipe, and involves a danger that, in the valves closed position, the relatively small annular space could become clogged with solids as coal dust, coke breeze, and the like,'so that the iiushing liquor and tar would not be flowed away from behind the closed valve suiciently rapidly to prevent Aimpounding liquids above it to' a level where they would flow back down the vertical 55 that in its clvsedPOSitiOn there exists, thel'e* for the purpose an improved design of butterilythrottle `valve adapted to prevent the impounding of excessiveY quantities of such liquor above the valve when it is in closed position.

With the present invention there is furnished for the purpose the peripherally leaky type of butterily-throttle valve together with auxiliary means comprising within the body of the valve itself a vent that isisealable by the spray-liquid when the valve is in closed position and yet is operative, when the spray-liquid accumulates bey. l yond a preferred limit o f level at which the pe.

ripheral-leakage can pass it, to overflow the surcan back-up into the oven.

A further object of invention is to provide for the purpose a simple and 'cheaply-constructed butterily-throttle valve in which the auxiliary means is of the return-bend conduit vtype and is also adapted to bewashed by the spray-liquid in open position of the valve and is suitable for u use without modication in the ordinary pipe connections usuallyv employed between a. coke loven and its collecting main. i y l The invention hasy for further objects such other improvements and -such other operative advantages or results as may be found to obtain in the apparatus hereinafter describedv or claimed. y

According to the present improvement the buttery-throttle valve is so dimensloned in re' spect of'the ascension-pipe passageway that in its closed position it functions to impede Ato gaseous flow but yet permits passage of liquids between the ascension-pipes walls and the periphery of said valve. In addition the'valve `is provided with auxiliary means comprising a return-bend conduit vent-opening that extends through the body of Athe valve itself, thus airoid-v y ing alteration 'of the down-comer of the ascension pipe. In the valves closed position .the vent is sealed lby cooling liquor sprayed into the ascension pipe while still being operable to dischargel therethrough such spraying liquor, and the like, as may accumulate in the ascension pipe above the level of theA vents inlet. ,Adjacent that portion of the ascension-pipe `walls along which liquids normally` ilow. into the collecting main,

the contourof the improvedbut terfly-throttle'- valve of the invention is preferably made 'such tions along which substantially only gases flow,

to assist in avoiding accumulations of coke breeze, and the like, above the bottom of the closed valve. According to another embodiment of the improvement, the lower part of the butterily is provided with means for simply regulating an additional opening directly available for the draining of liquids throughthe body of the valve between its periphery and the vent means.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and showing for purposes of exemplification a preferred apparatus in which the invention may be embodied and practised but without limiting `the claimed -invention specifically' to such illustratve instance or instances- Fig. 1 is a partial vertical section taken crosswise of a coke-oven battery through a coking chamber thereof and showing in section its ascension pipe. collecting main, and the butterythrottle valve of the present invention in closed position adjacent the inlet to the collecting main;

Fig. 2 shows a. fragment of Fig. 1 with the improved butterfly-throttle valve in open position so that the gaseous distillates 'as well as flushing liquid can pass freely from the coking chamber into the collecting' main;

Fig. 3 is a section taken along the line III-III of Fig. l, showing more clearlyV the inlet openings tothe return-bend conduit vent of the buttery-throttle valve of the invention as well as further auxiliary means 21 for controlling the level of liquid behind the valve when closed; and Fig. 4 shows the present improvement in a closed butterfly valve also having in its lower part another form of further' auxiliary means v28 for controlling the level of liquid retained i from the coal-charge during the carbonization process flow along gas-collecting space I3 of the coking chamber and upon arrival at ascensionpipe hole I4 flow upwardlyA therethrough. into vertical section- I5 of the ascension pipe and thereafter. into .its downwardly-extending section I6.

During. such time as the carbonization process is in progress the improved collecting-main cutoff means II of the invention'is in its open position, as shown in Fig. 2, and the distilled gases and vapors ow freely past the same through a cooling spray of preferably gas liquor emitted from spray nozzle I8 to enter collecting main I9 under the influence of an exhauster device that is communicably connected with the collecting main and serves thepurpose of maintaining the gases and vapors at a preferred slightly positive or negative atmospheric pressure as they ow therealong. As they enter the collecting main,

the hot distillates that have been somewhatV cooled bysprayed liquor from nozzle I8 are still further cooledl as they f'encounter an additional spray of cooling ,liquor emitted from thel obliquely-disposed nozzle 20.

'The said liquor sprays not only make it possible advantageously to introduce distillation gases of somewhat reduced temperature into the collecting main but they also'arefeflective in Ypreventing the over-heating and undue expanyprimarily of their higher-boiling constituents are condensed and those that 'collect on the'walls of the ascension pipe, flow down its inclined surfaces into the collecting; nain assisted by the flushing actionl ol' the sprayed cooling-liquor.

The butterfly-throttle valve I'I of the instant improvement, as is clearly apparent in the drawing, comprises an essentially'flat disc 2I formed with a strengthening rib 22 that extends along a diameter thereof and projects above both its upper and lower surfaces. In the plane of the valve-disc and extending therethrough substantially perpendicularly to said strengthening rib, there is the bore 23 whereby the disc is mounted on its supporting shaft 24, said shaft being of sumcient length to extend through said disc and through perforatlons at either end of a diameter of the ascension pipe and into stuffing-boxes 25 for sealing said .perforations against leakage.

Disc 2I of the butterfly valve is so dimensioned that at the elevated temperatures at which it is maintained during oven operation,

there is a peripheral space 26, between its outer t edge and the inner walls of the ascension pipe, which provides protection against its jamming and also actsas means for draining from ybehind its upper surface condensates and liquids that collect in that location when the valve-disc is in closed position in the ascension pipe. In its preferred form, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, a segment-like section of the circular valvedisc 2| is absent. Thus in the closed position of the valve-disc, this feature provides an enlargement, 21, of that portion of the peripheral space between it and that lower inclined surface of the ascension-pipe walls along which flushing liquor and liquid condensatesnormally'drain into the collecting main thereby advantageously facilitating rapid removal of liquids from behind the closed valve and obviously reducing the chances of stoppages due to the depositing of solids. It will be observedA that4 adjacent those portions of the ascension-pipe walls along which gases usually flow, the said peripheral space is still relatively narrow. Y

In that embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 4, the peripheral space between the. closed valve-disc and the ascension-pipe walls is of essentially uniform dimensions throughout its entire extent. Auxiliary means for draining liquids from behind the closed valve are Aprovided by threaded holes 28 which may be closed or opened for liquid drainage by respectively inserting into (as is the case with the second of the illustrated series of three holes) or removing therefrom a common pipe-plug 29, the

valve-discbeing easily accessible for such purpose through the opened vent-hole of the ascension-pipe.

Shaft 24 of the throttle valve is mounted for rotation through an arc of ninety degrees by means of handle 30 which has.- extending through the head thereof a square hole that slideably ts .the squared endl of shaft 24 on which it is locked by screw 3|. Also affixed to shaft 24 by means of screw 32 and with its -lengthwise dimension substantially4 at right antherefrom a spring-actuated pin 34 that is adapted'to be received by holes 35 disposed at the upper and lower ends of the arc-shaped member 38, said member being mounted on flanges 31 of the downwardly-extending section of the ascension pipe. At such times as pin 34 is held in the lower and the upper holes of said arc-shaped member the disc of the throttle valve isL supported respectively in opened -and closed position.

In order to maintain the surfaces of the butterfly-throttle valve free of tarry deposits and to protect it from the heating effects of the L still relatively hot gases flowing through the collecting main and also for reasons 'of operating convenience, it is desirable to continue spraying of cooling liquor into the ascension pipe and collecting main through all phases of oven operation.

During those operating intervals thereforeoverflow passage of liquids. Sprayed liquor, that is received into the conduit and is in excess of that required to fill it, is continuously drained to the valves opposite side and discharged into the collecting main by the free'space at the periphery of the valve, and by the ports 28, or opening 21, and conduit 38. It is obvious that in order to be operative for the purpose the valveconduit of the'present invention must be adapted to retain a depth of liquor somewhat in excess of that represented by the differential pressure of the gases in the collecting main and the ascension pipe, a differential which is normally not greater than some few millimeters of water.V

At such times as it is desired to push a coking chamber the improved butterfly-'throttle valve is moved from its position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 1 by raisingits handle 30 subsequent `to release of spring-actuated pin 34 which, when said handle has reached horizontal position, locks the valve in closed position by entering the upper perforation in metallic arc 36.v

ferred restriction to gaseous flow through thev ascension pipe, but oers a reserve of rdrainage capacity for liquids that is insufcient to compensate for such eventualities as restriction of above the valve-disc exceed an establishable level.

The upper and the lower surfaces of throttle valve I'I are communicably connected according y to the last mentioned improvement by means of a return-bend conduit 38 that is arcuate in shape and passes through the body ofsaid disc valve '2I. 'I'his conduit 38 is preferably so disposed. for its cooling, in respect of the plane. of the valve-disc and of the ascension-pipe spraying means I8 that when the valve 2| is in open position, as illustrated in Fig. 2, a generous supply of the ushing liquor from spray I8 is sprayed into said conduit 38 and passes through the con-- duit.38 to flush -it and keep its channel free of deposited tarry condensates, and the like; and in the closed position of the butterfly-throttle valve', as shown in Fig. 1, the vsaid return-bend or arcuate conduit 38 is preferably also so disposed in respect of the disc of the valve that its opposite ends lie in substantially the same horizontal plane thereby to form a sort of recurved or.U shaped channel at least one end of which is disposed to receive sprayed flushing-liquor from spray I8 and to; retainit and thereby seal the conduit 38 against ow of gases therethrough but at the same time leaving it available for the Thereafter the ascension-pipe vent-hole 381s opened to the atmosphere by lifting closure 4I) therefor Shortly after the valve-disc 2l iselosed, its

conduit 38 is lled with entrapped liquor-,spray through that portion of the peripheral space.'

When, however, such accumulation for any rea-` son reaches the level of the'inlet to valve-.conduit 38 of the invention, this additional facility for drainage becomes. operative and surplus liquorwill also start to drain therethrough into the collecting main. Perforations 28 in the lower part of the valve-disc of Fig. 4 are of advantage in their provision as.further auxiliary means whereby the quantity of liquids drained-through the bodyl ofy the valve becomes more flexible and whereby variations in rates of spraying or condensation can be compensated for. y

From the above-described it is manifest that the butterfly-throttle .valve conduit-of the invention is always sealed to gaseous flow when the valve-disc is in closed position, 4and that said conduit is adapted to function as a sort of safety valve or vent, at a region away from the Walls of pipe I6 where the clogging of condensate and deposition of solids, like dust, and coke breeze, occurs to prevent the collecting of such quanti- -ties of flushing liquor above the valve as are in excess of those that can be retained in the downwardly extending section of the ascension Pipe. 'I'he volume of liquor that is impounded above the closed valve before conduit 38 of the valve- -vent becomes operativeis determinable by the height to which its 'outlet is extended along the 'valve-disc. A

`means being constituted The present improvement is primarily directed to the provision of a true butterfly valve that is adapted for use as cut-oil means inan ascension pipe that is continuously sprayed with flushing liquor at a point above the valve.

The butterfly-throttle `valve is of important u ty for the stated purpose in that itrequires only a relatively small space in which to be operative and when it is adapted, as shown in the drawing, for an oblique disposition (at about 45) in the ascension pipe, it is possible to make the vertical section of the ascension pipe very -shortas well as that piping'connectlon connectin g it withthe collecting main.

einvention as hereinabove set forth is vem- ' 'bodied'in particular' form and manner but may bevariously'embodied within the scope of the claims hereinafter made.

I claim: A 1. In coke oven apparatus comprising: a downi l comer pipe adapted to connect an ascension pipe to a gas collecting main; and spray means for spraying liquid into said pipe; the combination of a-throttlevalve in said pipe below the spray means in the path of' liquid therefrom and adapted when in its closed position to provide a peripheral` leak in the passage of the pipe for 4lealrageof the spray liquid past the valve in its closed position towards the collecting main; and auxiliary means operable when the valve is tive lto the valve and the spray means that when the valve is also in open position oneof the ends of the conduit is ln position to receive spray liquid from the spray means and the other of the ends in position to discharge it. thus flushing the return-bend conduit when the valve is also in open position.

6. In coke oven apparatus comprising: a downleakage of the spray liquid past the valve in its closed position towards the oollectin'gmain; and auxiliary means operable when the valve is closed.

Y and more liquid is ysprayed into the passage than can leak through the peripheral leak therefor, to pass the excess liquid past the valve, said auxiliary means comprising a; trough-like member on the valve between the peripheral leak at the bottom of the valve, in its closed position, and

closed, and more liquid is sprayed into the passage than can leak through the peripheral leak therefor, to pass the vexcess liquid past the valve,

said auxiliary meanscomprising a return-bend conduit within, and carried by, the body of the of a throttle valve disposcd'in said pipe below thel valve itself and having one of its ends on oneside of the valve and in open position to receive spray liquid from the means therefor and having its other end open on the other side of the valve for overflow drainage of theliquid in excess of -that to lill and seal the -conduit against'gas ow, said return-bendvconduit being independent of and so spaced from the walls` of the downcomer pipe as to require-impounding of the excess liquor behind the valve, to alevel exceeding the capacity of the peripheral leak, before reaching the return-bend conduit.-

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and in which the auxiliary means also comprises further means formed in the valve body itself, between the region of the return-bend conduit andthe peripheral leak of the valve, for passing the aforesaid excess liquid past the valve at an intermediate level below the level of the return-bend conduit.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and in which the auxiliary meansv comprises further 'means constituted of ports in'the valve closeable by removable plugs, between the region of the returnbend conduit andthe peripheral leak of the valve,v

for regulating the impounding and by-passing of the center of the valve to accommodate passing the aforesaid excess liquid past the valve when it accumulates to a level beyond the capacity of the peripheral leak.

7. In coke oven apparatus comprising: a downcomer pipe adapted to connect an ascension pipe to a gas collecting main; and spray means for spraying liquid into said pipe; the combination spray means in the path of liquid therefrom and adapted when in its closed positionto provide a peripheral leak in the'passage of 'the pipe for leakage of the spray liquid past the valve in its v closed position towards the collecting main; and auxiliary means comprising a trough-like member on the valve, inside the outer extremity but below the center of the valve in its closed position, operable when the valve is closed, and more liquid ,is sprayed into the passage than can leak through the peripheral leak therefor, to pass the excess liquid past the valve, and ports, closeable by removable plugs, in the valve body itself and disposed between the region of the peripheral vsition of the valve, to provide a peripheral leak the aforesaid excess liquid impounded behind the `excess liquid past the valve at an intermediate level below the return-bend conduit, said further of a'. segment-less section of the valve diac- 5.. Apparatus' 'as claimed in claim 1, and in which the return-bend conduit is also set relaprising a trough-like member on the valve inside leak at the bottom of the valve in its closed position and the trough-like member below the center of the valve, for regulating the impounding o'f spray liquid to a level behind the valve beyond the capacity of the peripheral leak.

8. In coke oven apparatus comprising: a downcomer pipe adapted to connect an ascension pipe to a gas collectingl main; and spray means for spraying liquid into said pipe; the combination of a butterily valve ofthe disc type disposed in said pipe below the spray means in the path of liquid therefrom and comprising a segment-less sectionat the bottom -df the valve disc in closed poin the passage of the pipe for leakage'of the spray liquid past the valve in its closed position towards the collecting main; and auxiliary means operable when the valve is closed, and more liquid is sprayed into the passage than can leak through the peripheral leak therefor, to pass the excess i liquid -pt the valve, said auxiliary means coinits outer extremity for accommodating the passage of theaforesaid excess liq'uid past the valve when impounded behind the same to a level exceeding the capacity of the peripheral leak.

grossen BECKER, 

